LONDON– Vote counting in Ireland’s presidential election began on Saturday, with early counts suggesting a significant lead for left-wing independent Catherine Connolly.
Voters were choosing between Connolly and center-right Heather Humphreys as their new president, a largely ceremonial role in the European Union member country.
The two women were the only contenders after Jim Gavin, the candidate for Prime Minister Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fail party, dropped out of the race three weeks before the election due to a long-running financial dispute.
Martin, who heads Ireland’s government, had personally backed Gavin as a presidential candidate. Although Gavin had stopped campaigning, his name remains on the ballot due to his late withdrawal from the race.
While Irish presidents represent the country on the world stage, host visiting heads of state and play an important constitutional role, they do not have the power to make laws or policies.
Connolly, the favourite, has won the backing of a number of left-wing parties, including Sinn Féin, the Labor Party and the Social Democrats.
The 68-year-old former lawyer, an independent legislator since 2016, has openly criticized Israel for the war in Gaza.
Polls have suggested strong voter support for her over her rival Humphreys, 64, of the centre-right Fine Gael party.
The former cabinet minister has stressed that she is a centrist, pro-business and pro-EU candidate who will fight for unity.
Others, including musician Bob Geldof and former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor, had indicated they wanted to run for president but did not receive enough support for a nomination.
The winner will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who has been president since 2011, after serving two maximum seven-year terms. Connolly or Humphreys will be the tenth president of Ireland and the third woman to hold the office.
The voting ballots were counted by hand. The final result will be announced later on Saturday once all 43 electoral districts across the country have completed the recount.